South Walton Artificial Reef Association

The South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) is a grass-roots, non-profit organization dedicated to the construction, deployment, and monitoring of permitted artificial reefs in Walton County’s Gulf waters for the benefit and health of environment and community.

The South Walton Artificial Reef Association develops and maintains an extensive artificial reef system offering divers, snorkelers, fishermen, and researchers near-shore access to a thriving marine ecosystem.

The idea for SWARA was borne out of concerns over the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The thought was “what can we do to help our community become more aware of our unique natural resources by enhancing their connection to this environment?”

The solution to this question is to create a series of near-shore artificial reef systems along Walton County’s Gulf coastline and Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay waters. These reefs will combine the characteristics of this unique coastal environment with the County’s primary economic engine: tourism.

Building beach-accessible, artificial reef habitat systems is a unique approach that provides tremendous economic and quality-of-life opportunities. In so doing, we could provide a winning situation for residents, visitors, and the environment.

Learn more at https://swarareefs.org